So I have a physical coming up with my brand new dr and I plan on telling her I need some help with this horrible depression I have been in cause I can’t keep living like this and think I need some help. I am looking for advice on weeding out good from bad therapists…like what are some of the red flags to look out for? I have never gone for therapy or tried seeing anyone about my depression issues before or been on any psych meds other than citalopram. I have a logical head but want some seasoned advice from others and their experiences. Thanks!
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Therapy didn’t really work for me. My Dr. And nurse talk to me like they know me. I just lie to them every session I go to. They think I’m doing well, but in reality I’m not cause I’m planning on killing myself very soon and they don’t have a clue.
But it might work for you. If you are depressed and want to live I say give it a shot. For me it’s just a waste of time
Sorry to hear that TOJ and that suicide feels like your only way out. I respect your honesty though. But can I ask you something, why try and get help and then lie about things? How can your dr and nurse help you, really help you if you aren’t telling them what you are honestly feeling? I don’t see the point of looking at therapy as a magic wand and expecting the dr to be a miracle worker. You need to work as a team, right? Maybe you weren’t comfortable opening up and should try someone else? I know it can be a hit or miss, trial and error type process finding a therapist that works for you and it has to have a profound affect on how much you benefit or don’t from the time spent with that therapist. Maybe you should try again… suicide isn’t going anywhere after all. 😉
@jadedjewel I guess u are right about trying someone else. To be honest I’m not really comfortable with them anymore. There nice people, but I don’t know what do anymore. I can’t really make up mind what I want to do anymore
It’s overwhelming I know… I don’t know how long you’ve been in therapy for. Doesn’t sound like it was the right fit for you. I have heard of people needing a change in therapists before, maybe that’s what you need? Someone with a different approach can make a difference ya know. I think it’s worth a shot and you deserve that much. I am kind of scared myself about getting therapy… fear of the unknown I guess it is for me mostly. I think we both owe it to ourselves though to try…. and we can compare notes!
Hi Jadedjewl .. I have recently seen new doctors and I really told them that I needed help.. I was at the end of my rope and emotional .. I told them I was suicidal and they set me up with a new shrink . I told the shrink I tried to suicide .. Unlike my old shrink who just got me in every fortnight to take my money and have a chat I just tell this bloke the truth about how I’m feeling. I don’t smile and make small talk . I get to the point . He has started working on new meds and looking into local groups to help me get over the shit I’m in .. It’s early days and I don’t know if it will go well or not but I’m giving it a go .. I first started on citalopram years ago and have tried heaps of others .. A shrink will give you better drug advice than a regular Doctor .. ( I think )
Thanks mellow for your response. Good to hear you are trying a new therapist. I know people where it has made a huge difference for them. I have heard of drs that just want to med you up and aren’t into talk therapy, some know the meds ins and outs better than others. That I think is what scares me the most is the meds. I have heard such horror stories about certain meds and crazy side effects that make people worse. Honestly that is the scariest part to me. I know everyone reacts differently to meds to so you can’t go by every example you hear and think it will happen to you. I am personally looking for someone who is into both med and talk therapy as I think I could benefit from both. We’re there any particular meds you didn’t like? just curious.
I apologize if you’ve said before, but are you in the United States? Because here it is extremely difficult to find a psychiatrist who does talk therapy. The doctor who prescribes your medications and your therapist will be two different people.
I am in the US yes. Yeah I know one is the med guy and the other is more the therapist. I worked in healthcare so have a bit of background knowledge how it works. Many friends have gone through it too, but I like getting different opinions and views cause every person and their experience is individualistic and so are the treatments.
My apologies. I guess I misread something in your comments.
I haven’t liked any drugs that were given to me only because all they did was screw me up and destroy my life more .. I really didn’t like Seroquel as I couldn’t swallow properly Though I do know people that can’t live without it . – As for talk therapy I am seeing a psychiatrists who is looking at my meds and a psychologist – He is great to talk to but if you want a real answer I find your better off asking on here .. They try to push the positive vibe when sometimes you want the hard core truth ..
There are good therapists out there, but it might require trying more than one to find that person. My point of view might differ from other answers you get, but for me it’s about the therapist’s beliefs and attitudes in addition to the approach he uses. I’m not going to him at the moment because I’m not working and the insurance I have doesn’t cover sessions, but my therapist approaches things from a combination of Western psychology and Eastern philosophy. He is a Buddhist. He is also very open-minded. I would never go to a therapist who is narrow-minded, quick to threaten hospitalization, or absolutely insistent that I be on medication. I also wouldn’t go to a therapist who feels they are always right and I’m always wrong. For example, one who would accept a psychiatrist’s diagnosis unquestionably when I seriously question it, or who invalidates my feelings and experiences as either untrue or unimportant. Finally, I wouldn’t go to a therapist who considers anything that deviates from the “norm” to be a symptom of mental illness.
Each individual has to decide what their criteria is for a good therapist.
Just the kind of advice I was looking for mysteriousvisitor, thank you! Very helpful. Yeah I agree their belief and attitudes toward treatment are going to be key with me and luckily I am not easily pushed around… not with my physical health so I definitely won’t be when it comes to my mental health. I won’t stay with someone if it’s not a comfy fit that is for sure… it’s too important. Thanks again for responding.